Vehicle steering wheel

ABSTRACT

A vehicle steering wheel ( 10 ) includes a hub ( 12 ) and an airbag module ( 26 ). The vehicle steering wheel ( 10 ) further includes a plurality of switches ( 18, 20, 22 ) being integrated in a common housing ( 16 ). The housing ( 16 ) is fitted on the airbag module ( 26 ) and includes at least one mount ( 32 ) cooperating with a cover ( 28 ) of the airbag module ( 26 ).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a vehicle steering wheel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A steering wheel normally includes a hub and several switches. Theswitches enable the vehicle driver to operate e.g. the gear change, theradio or a telephone without having to take the hands off the steeringwheel. Hitherto, a separate switch was provided fitted to the hub foreach function to be switched. This complicates assembly. Apart from thisa complicated system is needed to ensure precise location of theswitches since otherwise an undesirable gap between adjacent components,for example a neighboring switch or a cover of the steering wheel, maymaterialize.

The object of the invention is to further develop a steering wheel ofthe aforementioned kind so that assembly and production complicationsare reduced.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, a vehicle steering wheel comprises a hub andan airbag module. The vehicle steering wheel further comprises aplurality of switches being integrated in a common housing. The housingis fitted on the airbag module and comprises at least one mountcooperating with a cover of the air bag module. This results in only asingle housing needing to be produced for the plurality of switches. Thesingle housing is attached to the airbag module, and then thispre-mounted unit is installed in the steering wheel, thus reducing thenumber of components and assembly steps. Apart from this, the variousswitches are now precisely positioned relative to each other so that noundesirable gap can materialize between the individual switches.Moreover, the construction according to the invention results inparticularly precise positioning of the cover for the air bag modulerelative to the switches so that no undesirable gap can materializebetween the individual switches and the cover.

According to a further aspect of the invention, an apparatus comprises arotatable vehicle steering wheel having a hub member connected to asteering column and rotatable with the steering wheel; an air bag moduleincluding a cover mounted on the steering wheel; and a housingsupporting a plurality of electrical switches, the housing being spacedapart from the cover, the housing being secured to, mounted on, andsupported by a rigid member of the air bag module. In the preferredembodiment of the invention the housing comprises at least one mountcooperating with the cover.

Preferably the mount is formed by a mounting peg engaging an opening ofthe cover. This results in the cover being movable relative to theswitches which are fixedly secured to the steering wheel, so that theycan be pressed, for example, to actuate a signal horn switch.

It is preferably provided for that the housing surrounds the air bagmodule at least in part. This enables the switches to be arranged toadvantage in the portions surrounding the air bag module availablebetween the rim of the steering wheel and the air bag module so that aparticularly compact design materializes.

Preferably a plug is provided, all of the switches being connected tothe plug. This plug can be fitted at a suitable location either directlyon the housing or at the end of a cable ported into the housing. Allswitches can now be connected with minimum complication simply byinserting this sole plug into a complementary connector socket.

Preferably the function of at least one of the switches is adapted to beprogrammed, thus enabling a standardized housing to be used with thevarious switches for different variants of the vehicle or vehiclefittings.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention it isprovided for that one of the switches serves to activate a hazardwarning flasher. This switch is provided in a central position foroptimum accessibility so that the hazard warning flasher can beactivated, if required, without delay and without having to take thehands off the steering wheel. In addition, it may be provided for thatthe hazard warning flasher is activated automatically andelectromechanically on activation of the air bag module or by theactivation electronics of the air bag module.

Advantageous aspects of the invention will be apparent from thesub-claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of a steering wheel;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic sectional view taken along the plane II-II asshown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view in perspective of a housing including switches as usedon the steering wheel as shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a steering wheel in accordance with theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIG. 1 there is illustrated a vehicle steering wheel 10comprising a hub 12 and a rim 14. Attached to the hub 12 is a housing 16(see also FIGS. 2 and 3) in which several switches 18, 20, 22 areaccommodated. The housing 16 is provided, for the purpose of beingfitted to or positioned on the hub 12, with several locating pegs 24engaging corresponding holes 25 in the hub.

The housing 16 is configured U-shaped (see FIG. 3) in general, i.e. itsurrounding a center space by approximately 180°. Mounted in this centerspace is an air bag module 26 indicated diagrammatically. On the side ofthe air bag module 26 facing the vehicle driver, a cover 28 is mountedforming a more or less flush finish with the switches 18, 20, 22, toensure enhanced visual appeal as a whole.

For fitting or positioning the cover 28 it is provided with severalopenings 30, each of which is engaged by a mounting peg 32 fitted to thehousing 16. The mounting peg 32 together with the openings 30 enable thecover 28 to be depressed in a direction parallel to the axis of rotationof the steering wheel for actuating the signal horn, for example.

In this configuration, the housing 16 together with the locating pegs 24which cooperate with the hub 12, and with the mounting pegs 32 whichcooperate with the cover, simultaneously serves to locate and guide thecover 28 relative to the partly adjoining hub 12.

Since the cover 28 is directly fitted to the housing 16 of the switches,the gaps between the cover and the switches are minimized, despite thecover being shiftable. Similar minimized gaps result between theswitches and the hub of the steering wheel, since the housing of theswitches is securely fitted to or positioned on the hub.

Circuit boards and other connecting elements for the various switches18, 20, 22 may be arranged in the housing 16, including also electronicscomponents, so that the function of the switches can be freelyprogrammed. For this purpose a programming terminal 34 is provided whichis accessible from the rear in the fitted steering wheel. In this way itis possible to provide for an individual, customized switch circuitingfor one and the same vehicle type. Only a sole plug is provided forconnecting all switches by it being simply inserted in a complementaryconnector socket on assembly of the vehicle steering wheel.

In accordance with the invention it is be provided for that severalswitches are mounted on the air bag module 26 instead of on the hub 12.An example embodiment in accordance with the invention is described withreference to FIG. 4. The components that have already been describedwith reference to FIG 1 to 3 have the same reference numerals.

The air bag module 26 shown in FIG. 4 includes, inter alia, a rigidcarrier plate 36. A “floating” part of the module 26 is mounted on thecarrier plate 36 so as to be movable in an axial direction in order toclose a horn contact. The carrier plate 36 has a flange portion 38resting on a shoulder of the hub 12 in the installed state of the airbag module 26. The flange portion 38 of the carrier plate 36 alsosupports the housing 16 of the switches 16, 18 or 20, i.e. the housing16 is mounted and secured on the flange portion 38 of the carrier plate36.

When the air bag module 26 is installed it is lowered into the hub 12until the flange portion 38 of the carrier plate 36, which supports thehousing 16 of the switches and the floating part of the air bag module26, rests on the shoulder of the hub 12.

1. A vehicle steering wheel comprising a hub and an airbag module, thevehicle steering wheel further comprising a plurality of switches beingintegrated in a common housing, the housing being fitted on the airbagmodule and comprising at least one mount cooperating with a cover of theair bag module.
 2. An apparatus comprising: a rotatable vehicle steeringwheel having a hub member connected to a steering column and rotatablewith the steering wheel; an air bag module including a cover mounted onsaid steering wheel; and a housing supporting a plurality of electricalswitches, said housing being spaced apart from said cover, said housingbeing secured to, mounted on, and supported by a rigid member of the airbag module.
 3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein each ofsaid switches has a portion that engages an upper surface of saidhousing.
 4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2, further includingmembers extending from said housing into openings in said hub memberspaced apart from the cover to locate said housing relative to said hubmember.
 5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said housingcomprises at least one mount cooperating with said cover.
 6. Theapparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein said mount is formed by amounting peg engaging an opening of said cover.
 7. The apparatus as setforth in claim 2, wherein said housing surrounds said air bag module atleast in part.
 8. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein a plugis provided, all of said switches being connected to said plug.
 9. Theapparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein at least one of said switchesis adapted to be programmed.
 10. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2,wherein one of said switches serves to activate a hazard warningflasher.
 11. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said coveris positioned flush with said electrical switches when said electricalswitches are not actuated.
 12. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2,wherein said switches extend around said air bag module cover.
 13. Theapparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said cover is directly fittedto said housing such that gaps between said cover and said switches areminimized.
 14. The apparatus as set forth in claim 4, further includinga plurality of mounts extending from said housing that engage openingsin said cover to enable the cover to be depressed in a directionparallel to the axis of rotation of the steering wheel.
 15. Theapparatus as set forth in claim 14, wherein said mounts extend upwardlywith respect to said steering wheel.
 16. The apparatus as set forth inclaim 2, wherein said housing surrounds said air bag module at at leastone hundred and eighty degrees.
 17. The apparatus as set forth in claim4, wherein said members extend downwardly from said housing.
 18. Theapparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein said mount extends upwardlyfrom said housing.
 19. The apparatus as set forth in claim 7, whereinsaid housing surrounds at least three quarters of said air bag module.20. The apparatus as set forth in claim 12, wherein said switches extendaround said air bag module cover at at least two hundred and seventydegrees.
 21. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said air bagmodule includes a carrier plate, said housing being supported on saidcarrier plate.
 22. The apparatus as set forth in claim 21, wherein saidhousing is supported on a flange portion of said carrier plate.
 23. Theapparatus as set forth in claim 21, wherein said carrier plate alsosupports a floating part of said air bag module.
 24. The apparatus asset forth in claim 21, wherein said carrier plate rests on a shoulder ofsaid hub member.